$3m fight for asbestos funds

Australia’s vital response to the deadly asbestos mineral could grind to a halt because of funding issues.

Unspent funds totalling $3 million are being withheld from the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency says Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia president Barry Robson.

Mr Robson, who described the funding as critical, said without it the national strategic plan, education programs and the cooperation of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection would also be put in jeopardy.

“When it comes to the importation of building products, every trades person could face the possibility of being exposed without even knowing it, thinking the ban was completely in place and working,” Mr Robson said.

He said the funding that had been withheld came about due to a hiring freeze in the public service that delayed the agency’s set up.

“It makes me angry and it is upsetting because I don’t think the Minister is being told the truth,” he said.

“When the request went in for the money, which was already allocated, it was passed onto the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations and they did not recommend it should be released and that is the problem,” he said.